The streaming serviceNetflixis generally associated with the concept of binge-watching a TV show, as the platform makes it easy to consume every episode of its beloved series one after another. Netflix is well aware thatsometimes all we want to do is sit back, relax, and be taken to a new worldby a TV show over the weekend.
It’s nice to let go of the stressors of daily life, even if a series is a bit anxiety-inducing itself. Though manyNetflix TV shows are canceled too soon, some of its most famous original content is short and to the point on purpose, or is still awaiting the next season. These series all fit the bill, asthey’re impossible to stop watching, and quick to binge.
7Beef (2023–Present)
Ali Wong and Steven Yung Make A Hilarious & Compelling Pair In Beef
WhenBeeffirst premiered on Netflix in 2023, it immediately made a splash with audiences and critics alike for its balance of the relatable and outlandish.Led by Ali Wong and Steven Yeun as Amy and Danny,the show revolves around the fallout of the characters' road rage-fueled encounter that leads to an increasingly intense and violent rivalry.
SinceBeefseason 2 is confirmedwith a slate of exciting new characters and well-known actors, viewers will want to catch up as soon as possible to get in on the conversation. Fortunately,there’s still plenty of time to dive into season 1before the next installment comes out. Just ten episodes long and clocking in at around 30 to 40 minutes, it will fly by.
However, it isn’t just the tight runtime and season length that makesBeefwhizz by, asthe pacing is pitch-perfect, seamlessly transitioning from one episode to anotherwithout losing momentum.Beefworks because it takes something everyone is familiar with, getting angry at our fellow drivers, and takes it to the most imaginative possible place.
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6The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Professional Chess Has Never Been So High-Stakes As In This Miniseries
Anya Taylor-Joy is instantly recognizable today, but when she was first tapped to star in the screen adaptation of the novel by Walter Tevis,The Queen’s Gambit, she had the opportunity to make her mark. Fortunately, the miniseries was the perfect project to showcase what a force of nature the actress is, as her character,Beth, is as complex and compelling as she is occasionally tragic and unlikable.
The Queen’s Gambitis aNetflix miniseries that’s a masterpiece, unfolding over the course of seven episodes without ever losing the audience’s attention. While it’s exciting to become invested in a show that’s coming back for another season,there’s something uniquely satisfying about reaching the end ofThe Queen’s Gambitand knowing that Beth’s arc has fully unfolded.
Even audiences who don’t know the first thing about chess won’t struggle to care about the world ofThe Queen’s Gambitand Beth’s desire to be the best there is.Her personal struggles, relationships, and inner demons are what strike the emotional chordsin the series, with her climb to the top of the chess world crafting the undeniable tension.
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5Blue Eye Samurai (2023–Present)
An Epic Animated Adventure That Only Becomes More Astounding
The wait for the next season ofBlue Eye Samuraihas already been agony, as fans of the series know that whatever is coming for Mizu next will be even more astounding. Visually, there are few shows that compare toBlue Eye Samurai, which uses the art style to its fullest potential,making every frame truly unforgettable, and using the medium of animation to uplift the fight sequences.
With only eight episodes in its first season,Blue Eye Samuraidoes a lot with its compact story, taking the audience on Mizu’s tragic but undeniably thrilling journey. Though the story rests on Mizu’s shoulders, bearing witness to her relentless quest for revenge and the pain others have caused her,the series doesn’t skimp on fleshing out the entire ensemble.
Though season 1 ended on a cliffhanger, it’s satisfying enough to answer some of the audience’s burning questions.
Though season 1 ended on a cliffhanger, it’s satisfying enough to answer some of the audience’s burning questions after spending so long in Mizu’s world. Fortunately for viewers who are discovering the show today,Blue Eye Samuraiseason 2 is slated to be released on Netflix in 2026, so you won’t have to wait too much longer for Mizu’s next steps (viaGame Rant).
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4Wednesday (2022–Present)
Stylish, Creepy, & Hilarious, Netflix’s Wednesday Is The Horror Hit Of The 2020s
In retrospect, it’s unsurprising thatWednesdayhas taken hold of the cultural conversation the way that it has. With creative minds like Tim Burton involved and the beloved source material, there was nothing standing in the way of the TV show’s worldwide impact. However, despite its significant reputation,Wednesdayis a fairly easy series to binge in a few short days.
Without Jenna Ortega leading the cast as the titular Wednesday Addams, it’s unlikely that the series would’ve found the enormous popularity it has. Though it’s a fun show that successfully relies on its name recognition and rich narrative history,it’s Ortega’s performance that highlights the comedy of the world,and gives the series some emotional power.
Wednesdayseason 2 is closer than ever,with part one premiering on Netflix on August 6th and part two on September 3rd. It’s certain that more mysteries, mayhem, and magic will await the maudlin lead character when she returns to Nevermore Academy. For the viewers who haven’t succumbed to the power ofWednesdayyet, now is the perfect time to get involved.
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3American Primeval (2025)
A Gorgeous But Harrowing Take On The History Of The West
Rough, gritty, and beautifully photographed, Netflix’s recent miniseries,American Primeval, is a new type of Western TV show that won’t disappoint.Written and directed by Mark L. Smith,a filmmaker and writer known for brutal tests of endurance likeThe RevenantandTwisters,American Primevaltakes the viewer back in time to when the American West really was wild.
Starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin,American Primevalis set in the mid-1800sand follows the lives of the warring groups of white settlers and the Indigenous communities they threaten. It’s a tough series to watch, not shying away from stark violence and the cruelty people inflict on each other, but this is part of what makes it so impossible to turn off.
American Primevalis first and foremost an immersive experience.
Though historic miniseries likeAmerican Primevalaren’t for everyone, they will hit home with audiences who want to engage with a fictionalized, heightened exploration of the violence of the U.S.’s past. Touching upon real events, but focused primarily on the emotional and physical struggles of its lead characters,American Primevalis first and foremost an immersive experience.
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2Forever (2025–Present)
This Romantic Teen Drama Will Make You Believe In Love
Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. play Keisha and Justin in Netflix’sForever,and based on the actors' chemistry alone, it’s impossible not to believe that their love story is written in the stars. Adapting teen romance books for the screen is more popular than ever, with many shows with similar themes available to watch, butForeveris something special.
Loosely based on the novel by Judy Blume,Foreversees Keisha and Justin find their way back to each other as they enter their teenage years, and it doesn’t take long until they’re falling head over heels for each other. However, the pressures from their parents and the expectations for their futures are quick to get in the way of their romance.
It’s unfair that the YA genre is so often written off as being less serious than other works, asForeverbalances the weight and importance of first love and navigating the path to adulthood with honesty and empathy. The series is as sweepingly romantic as it is emotionally resonant, and all eight episodes ofForeverwill take you somewhere new and compelling.
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1Adolescence (2025)
This Groundbreaking Miniseries Is Still Making Waves
Heralded for its nuanced exploration and understanding of how violence, misogyny, and hate are being taught to the younger generations on the internet,Adolescenceis a miniseries that audiences won’t soon forget. Unfolding in the aftermath of the murder of a young girl, the series follows the investigation into Owen Cooper’s Jamie, who is suspected of killing her.
AsAdolescenceprogresses, the viewer is let into a terrifying world that paints a harsh but interrogative reflection of our own.
Though the subject matter is what keeps the viewer engaged, the innovative cinematography and complex visual language set the tone for the heavy emotional material of the story. AsAdolescenceprogresses, the viewer is let into a terrifying world that paints a harsh but interrogative reflection of our own. Each of the performances, especially from the young actors, will leave you astounded.
Through just four episodes,Adolescencecrafts a narrative that isn’t afraid to cast a critical lens on the way the world shapes young minds, sometimes for the worse.Netflixis full of crime dramas and well-crafted mystery stories, but few have come close to the magic ofAdolescence, which will be remembered for years to come.
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